Skip to content
BrakesPart report

2005 Mazda MAZDA3 Brakes Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
6%of 97 total for the year
Median mileage
38,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the brakes of the 2005 Mazda MAZDA3, 6% of the 97 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 38,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I purchased my 2005 Mazda 3s during the winter of 2005. For the past 4 years I have religiously had my car serviced by Mazda dealerships consistent with the recommended servicing schedule. Despite this, my rear brakes suddenly ceased monday. After having my car towed to a Mazda dealership, I was informed that my rear calipers and brake lines had completely rusted through and that they must be replaced along with my rear rotors and rear brake pads - for $2650 (not including the towing fee). My car has less than 38,000 miles on it and was always well-cared for. …”

NHTSA complaint #10267968, filed 2009-05, 38,000 miles

“Since the day I bought my Mazda 3 in 2005 I have had problem after problem with the brakes & the rotors. This car was always at Mazda for something. Then in july, 2006 I was driving about 10 MPH when the power went out on the car,I lost all brakes & steering & ran into a median in the middle of the road. I drove the vehicle home that night & once again the car stalled on me. The next day we took the car to Mazda & let them know the problem & after 4 days & driving the car a total of 9 miles they said they could find nothing wrong with the car & the computer showed nothing when they drove it. …”

NHTSA complaint #10168173, filed 2006-09, 23,000 miles

“The vehicle was coming around a turn at about 30 miles per house, when the vehicle's radio went off and steering locked up into manual and car was difficult to maneuver. When the brake was applied, the car stalled out and engine stopped. The vehicle was able to moved to side of the road and stop. The car was turned off and upon restart had to issues. Upon rest of return trip home, upon the application of the brake, the cars radio, thermometer gauge and general electronics would stop and reset when the brake was released and gas pedal applied.”

NHTSA complaint #10680990, filed 2015-02, 162,844 miles

“The contact owns a 2005 Mazda 3. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10695155, filed 2015-03, 48,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2005 Mazda 3. While driving 40 MPH, the contact felt the brakes grab and release. The dealer stated that the front rotors were warped and they replaced the rotors. The failure mileage was 21,000 and current mileage was 32,965. Updated 01-15-08. The consumer stated the vehicle continued to wobble in the front. The consumer was told all 4 tires had blisters on them and needed to be replaced. The front end wobble stopped. Updated”

NHTSA complaint #10209508, filed 2007-11, 21,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202418%
2023217%
202159%
202039%
20191520%
201865%
201778%
20161817%
20152822%
20142619%
20131513%
2012146%
201143%
2010386%
200987%
2008227%
2007178%
2006148%
200566%
20042819%

Other parts of the 2005 Mazda MAZDA3

Air bags
24 complaintsEngine cooling
19 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsTires
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2005 Mazda MAZDA3

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology